Energy & Utilities

Planning begun decades ago is bearing fruit today as Monmouth County easily absorbs its new corporate and residential citizens. From gas and electric service to water and telecommunications, Monmouth County can support all residential, commercial, and industrial needs and has the resources to continue to welcome corporate relocations and expansions.

Natural Gas

New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) is the principal subsidiary of New Jersey Resources (NYSE: NJR), a Fortune 1000 company and a member of the Forbes Platinum 400. NJNG is one of the fastest-growing local distribution companies in the United States, serving more than 450,000 customers in New Jersey's Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex and Morris counties. This service area's demographics and quality of life contribute greatly to NJNG's growth. NJNG's progress is a tribute to the dedicated employees who have shared their expertise and focus on quality through more than 50 years of serving customers and the community to make the company a leader in the competitive energy marketplace. For more information, visit NJNG's Web site atnjliving.com.

Electricity

Jersey Central Power & Light/First Energy supplies electricity to nearly one million commercial and residential customers in New Jersey. Its parent company, GPU Incorporated, is one of the largest investor-owned electric utilities with annual revenues of nearly $4 billion. GPU Energy also provides a variety of services, free of charge, to assist companies with relocation and expansion. Services include a computerized listing of available commercial and industrial sites, community profiles and statistics, and data on government regulations and financing options. Along with technical assistance, GPU Energy can calculate potential power needs, and suggest programs for optimum efficiency and reduced power costs.

Water

Water service is provided by New Jersey-American Water, a subsidiary of American Water Works. The service area extends through 120 square miles of Monmouth County, including numerous residential and commercial centers and tourism destinations. The majority of the county's water is provided from surface sources and processed at two large facilities: the Swimming River Reservoir and Treatment Plant in Colts Neck, and the Jumping Brook Treatment Plant in Neptune.

New Jersey-American monitors water for more than 200 substances as part of its quality assurance program. The company conducts regular infrastructure maintenance to provide an adequate supply and a reliable distribution system. New Jersey-American is also planning several large projects within the county service area to exceed the strict water quality regulations anticipated in the future.

Telecommunications

Telecommunications services are provided by Verizon, which has a program of ongoing capital improvements to keep pace with growing communications needs. It added a third Area Code here to make room for the proliferation of cellular phones, pagers and fax machines. Verizon also offers rate reductions and other incentives for new businesses in the Urban Enterprise Zone through Bell Atlantic-New Jersey's Small Business Economic Development Incentive Program. Every major wireless communications company has facilities here.

Sewerage

Local or regional sewerage authorities serve most of Monmouth County. Rates and service capacities vary by locale. Rural areas still depend on septic systems that can limit large-scale development. The Monmouth County Division of Economic Development can assist site selectors in learning more about a region or municipality.